It’s clear from recent Tribune articles that the Great Falls Public School District finds itself becoming a primary, if not the primary, contact point for the provision of social services to distressed families.

First, we learned of a plan to put health clinics in some of our schools, and not just for students, but also “their parents or guardians, their siblings and their own children.” A second article informed us about suicide prevention efforts in our schools, as well as substance abuse and mental health services. Remember, too, when Superintendent Tammy Lacey publicly chastised Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen for not supporting plans for comprehensive, free preschool for low income kids.

I’m sure this is a response to what District officials feel is a pressing need. I’ve known Assistant Superintendent Tom Moore for years, and he’s honest, devoted, and credible. If Mr. Moore says there’s a problem, I tend to believe him.

The existence of problems, though, does not necessarily mean that public schools are the best means to address them, and an argument can be made that the schools should focus on their primary mission: educating students.

A bigger problem with the District’s foray into supporting low income families, though, is the shifting of the burden of local taxpayers.

We already pay significant sums of money to support public social services. DPHHS receives a significant portion of the State’s general fund budget. We already have state agencies to do the things the schools want to do. (If you doubt me, go to the DPHHS directory, http://directory.mt.gov/govt/state- dir/agency/dphhs, and scroll down … down …. down!)

We’re already paying significant sums to the state for social services, yet the District still feels it must spend local tax dollars on the same problems. This means that the state-level programs are not doing the job.

Our school officials who see these kids every day are in the position to know if state programs are working for these families. If not, the answer is not to simply divert local tax dollars from education to food and medical care. School officials must instead show leadership and speak up. If state programs are falling down on the job, can’t we expect our local experts to call them out on it, not simply create ‘backup programs?’ The educators need to lead this charge.

We need courage, foresight, and efficiency. If the best way to connect with troubled families is through the schools, and I can believe that could be the best way, go to the legislature! Restructure the social service ‘industry’ in this state on an actual, not just a de facto basis.

In other words, if schools are the primary providers of social service resources, schools should have the state support. Restructure the government so these social service programs are under the umbrella of education, not welfare. Do it the right way, and make it work.

Otherwise, it is too easy for critics to just characterize this as ‘the usual—more, more, more…’